The 2013 Lunar New Year begins on Feb. 10, and this year is the Year of the Snake. For a library program, you can include both books and activities on the traditions of Lunar New Year, Chinese Culture, and snakes. Here are some ideas:

Games:Chopsticks Game: This is a relay race, where the child transfers something from one bowl, across the room, to another bowl, holding the object with chopsticks. The object can be a marshmallow, feather, piece of candy, etc. Here are the instructions: http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/the_chopsticks_game.htm

Schaefer, Carole L. Dragon Dancing.

Yen, Clara. Why Rat Comes First.

Yu, Li-Qiong. A New Year’s Reunion.

Storytime:

Science Activities:For your science area, focus on snakes. You may be able to “borrow” a snake from a local pet store or nature center. Other snake science activities can include a computer set to the Natural Geographic for Kids site: http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/ .

Refreshments:Simple Mandarin oranges or Clementines are great. Almond cookies are also traditional; Fortune Cookies are not (they originated in the U.S.).